Egg carton



L. BENOIT Re. 19,143 I EIGG CARTON April 24, 1934.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original F iled Oct. 24. 1927 April 24, 1934. LfiBNonRe. 19.143

EGG CARTON Original Filed Oct. 24. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 If fl fizz/61111217": I

'E 072 1967? xi" W WM L. BENOIT EGG CARTON April 24, 1934.

Original Filed Oct. 24, 1927 5 sheets sheet 3 Reissued -Apr. 24, 1934I-Re. 19,143

19,143 EGG oAa'roN Leon Benoit, Chicago, Ill. Original No. 1,768,022;dated June 24, 1930, Serial No. 228,304, October 24, 1927..-'Application mreissue June 22, 1932, Serial No. 618,816

This invention which relates to certain improvements in a knock-downcarton for eggs and like commodities is particularly concernedwlthfeatures which facilitate the assembly of the car- 5 ton components,enhance the strength and utility thereof, and assure a more serviceableconstrue.-

tion. These several phasesof my 'inv'entionwill.

be explained at length in the specification and claims to follow, andare set forth in detail in the accompanying drawings which illustratecertain embodiments of the invention in the manner following I, Figure 1is a view in perspective of my improved carton in a size and form-whichpresents four .15 cells or compartments;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof; I v I Fig. 3 is a fragmentary planview of the carto in knock-down form;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail showing the cen- Fig. 8 is a sideelevation of a carton havingthe general cover construction of Fig. 7,but equipped 30 with a modified fastening means;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a cross wall showing theinterlocked blank in cross .section, this construction-being of amodified type; Fig. 10.is a detail in section taken on line 10-10 ofFig. 9;

Fig. 11 which is view similar to Fig. '9 shows a further modification inthe interlock of the blank with the cross wall;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view taken on line 40 12-12 of Fig. 11;

a still further modification in the construction of interlock for theblank and cross wall;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 12; y

- Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail showing one notched edge of a crosswall which provides an interlock for the blank which is shown in crosssection; ,4 a

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 15; Figs. 17 and18 are fragmentary views showing two further modifications in thenotched interlock construction adjacent one edge of the cross wall; and

tween the fold and bends 21 provide a vertically several folds are to bemade, so as to facilitate Fig. 13 which is a view similar to Fig. 11shows Fig. 19 is a transverse section through the. car-" ton showing afurther modified construction in which the covers are mterlocked with across wall so as to be held thereby inclosed position.

The carton herein shown and described is of 60 that type which utilizesa blank A which is formed Q into bottom; side walls, and covers, and'in'con- -iunction therewith apluralityof-cross-walls B which provide endsand intermediate partitions. The blank is folded upon itself at 20 inits middle region and is also bendable at other points as indicated at21, 22, 23, and 2.4. The general form of the blank so folded is that ofthe letter W. The folds 22 occupy lowermost positions, the folds 23 areadjacent the upper .edge of the carton, and the folds 24are adapted tooccupy'substantially a center position when the'blank is'closed, over toprovide covers for the carton. The bends 21 are disposed between thecenter and bottom folds 20 and 22, as shown. The sections of the blankbeextending double wall 0. Between the bends 21 and 22 are obliquesections d, between the folds 22 and 23 are other. sections e, andbetween the folds 23 and 24 .cover sections 1. Joined to each coversection at the fold 24 is a flap a. 'In addition the blank is adaptedto' be further bent, when the carton is closed up, along the line 31which de- .fines between itself and the fold 23 one additional section hwhich is substantially vertically disposed. In the manufacture of ablank having' the characteristics noted, the material, preferably acommercial fibrous product, may be scored or otherwise weakened alongthe lines" where the the operation of bending the blank to the formdescribed.- I l The blank is further provided upon opposite sides ofitscenter fold with two' sets of aligned slots 35 which extend between thebends-31 and 21.-' In line with these slots are openings 36 ar ranged ina row along the centerline of the blank. When the blank is folded uponitself along its center line, as shown in Fig. 1, these several open- 7ings take onthe form of semi-circular notches. 100 The cross wallcomponents are preferably of the form which is shown best in Fig. 2.Each of these walls is of generally rectangular contour having an upperedge 40 and abottom-edge 41, with adjacent rounded corners 42'. The sideedges or ends of these walls may extend vertically as at 43 from thebottom, and are'notched at-44 so that the remaining upper portion 45 ofthe side edges are inset and slanted outwardly to a slight. extent, ifdesired Each of the notches 44 is defined in part by a lug 46 whichproceeds upwardly from the upper end of the edge 43.

The cross walls are furthercharacterized in each instance by a verticalslot 50 in the center region which extends downwardly from the upperedge 40. This slot is of peculiar formation, in that its opposite edgesextend closely in parallel relation in the lower portion, but in itsupper portion displacement.

one edge 51 is obliquely inclined to provide an enlarged of flaringentrance for the slot. The opposite slot side is provided with a lug 52extending partly across the entrance of the slot. The juncture point 53,where the oblique edge 51 meets with the vertical edge of the slot, issubstantially tangential to a line a:-y drawn between the lug 52 and thelower slot end (see Fig. 4)

The operation of assembling the cross walls B in the carton blank A mayproceed as follows: The carton is first doubled upon itself along thefold line 20 so as to bring the two sets of slots 35 into register. Thecross walls are then inserted into position within these slots thelength of which exceeds the vertical dimension of the cross walls, and,the latter are then shifted lengthwise of the blank slots so as tobring the double walled section 0 down against the lower end of thecross wall slot 50. During this movement the double walled section 0 ofthe blank is required to bend, as shown in Fig. 5, due to theobstructing position of the lugs 52. In the final position, the paralleledges of the slots 50 afford support to opposite sides of the doublewalled section e such that it is held against tilting, and the lugs 52project into the recesses 36 to prevent a reverse movement of the blankrelative to the cross walls with a consequent separation of one from theother. With the walls assembled into the blank in this manner, the partsare interlocked securely against For convenience in packing andshipping, the walls may be turned flat against the blank, as suggestedin Fig. 3. In this knockdown condition the carton occupies but verylittle space. It may be set up for use by bending the blank along thefolds 22 which has the effect of bringing up the sections e and h untilthe latter are hooked into the notches 44. In this position, the lugs 46act to retain the blank in a setup condition with its upper sections jand 9 opened out to permit insertion of eggs or other commodities intothe cells defined by the blank sections (1 and e and. the interveningcross walls. As these cells are filled, the obliquely disposed sectionsd and ewill be bowed out in conformity with the contour of the eggs orother commodities so set in place, with the. result .that the bottomfolds 22 will be slightly lifted above the lower cross wall edges 41.The upper portions of the blank consisting of the sections f and 9 maythereafter be folded over the top of the carton, the sections meetingsubstantially along the center fold 20 so as to permit insertion of thetwo flaps g vertically into the slots 50 along one side of the doublewalls c. This insertion takes place upon the sides of the slots 50 whichare provided with the obliquely disposed edge 5 1, as appears clearly inFig. 6.

The carton herein shown and described by way of exemplification is ofthe double row form; that is, its folds are so disposed in relation tothe type of cross walls used as to present two rows of cells. Manifestlythe length of these rows will be determined by the dimensions of theblank, and the number of compartments or cells will depend upon thenumber of cross walls which are used. In the construction shown. wherethe blank is bent to substantially W formation, two such rows areprovided, but this may be increasedby duplicating the folds wherevernecessaryto add rows to whatever number is desired. In such instances,the essential features of the invention will remain unchanged both asregards the formation of the blank and of 'the cross walls whichco-operate therewith.

It is possible to vary the construction in numerous particulars fromthat which has already been described. For example, in Fig. 6, whichshows the covers closed down upon the cartons, a fastening device 60 maybe extended through the flaps g and double walls 0 at opposite ends ofthe carton. When this is done, the covers will be secured to each other,and also to the carton as well, thus ensuring against loss of articlescontained within the carton.

It will be noted that when the carton is placed upon a table or otherplane surface, it will rest upon the lower edges 41 of the cross walls.As the blank sections d and e are required to bow outwardly inconformity with the contour of articles placed within the cells, thelowermost folds 22 will be lifted slightly. For this reason, the eggs orother commodities are held in a suspended position slightly off of thesurface on which .the carton is placed. Adequate protection to the eggsor other contents is thus afforded from the bottom side of the carton.Should it be desired to give to the upper sides of the eggs'or othercontents protection further than that which is imparted by the covers 1resort may be had to the construction shown in Fig. '7. I have shown'here one of the covers sodimensioned as to extend clear across thecarton top, its associated flap g being extended down into the notches44 of the cross walls. The section h on the opposite blank edge is ofsuch size that the fold 23 will be positioned appreciably beyond theproximate fold 24 of the other cover. The section 1' which is joined tothis longer section h extends over the other cover section from which itis separated by an appreciable distance, and the flap g is adapted to befolded down upon the outer side of the section It connecting with theunder cover I.

Any suitable fastening means such as staples 61 may be extended througheach flap g and the proximate section 71. so as to lock the doublecovers in the position shown. By reason of this construction I providean enhanced protection for the carton contents, the outer cover beingadapted to withstand any shocks received in handling and the lower coverto hold the eggs or other contents spaced away from such points ofshock. If desired, the covers shown in Fig. 7 may,

as suggested in Fig. 8, be secured by a tongue and slot connection whichincludes tongues 62 provided in the one cover component adapted forinsertion through slots 63 in the other com- .ponent, so as to provide adetachable form of for insertion through the slots 65 of the cross wallswhen the latter are assembled in position within the blank. By thismeans the cross walls are held inplace by means supplementary to thelugs 52 which project over the double walls of the blank.

Figs. 11 and 12 suggest a construction wherethe same as the onesfirstdescribed. In addi'-'. tion, however, I may provide each cross wallwith a lug 72 extending into its slot 59 adapted to lie within aslot 73formed in the doubled -wall section 0 of .the blank when the carton components are assembled. By this construction two sets of interlocks areutilized, each independent of the other, although mutuallysupplementary.-

It is possible also to modify in various ways the construction of thenotches which are provided in the ends or side edges of the cross wallsassuggested, for example, in Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive. In the iirst'ofthese figures, the notch- 44 is formed adjacent a. lug 75 having aheadwith an overhanging shoulder 76 adapted for insertion into a slot'77v which is formed in the blank'sectionh adjacent one end of the s 't35, but removed therefrom. Preferably the'sl t 77; is wider than theslotto facilitate insertion,

of. the shoulder 76. When the blank and cross walls are assembled, thesection hlis bent into position, so that the blank portion 78 which'liesbetween the two'slots '77 and 35 may occupy a position below theshoulder '76 of the lug head. The connection thus. provided is in effectan interlock with the lug acting as a hook to pre-' vent disassembly.

The notch 44 of Fig. 1''! is disposed'below an overhanginglug 80projecting from the side edge of the cross wall. Such a lug is adaptedto lie within the slot 77 in the blank, when made according to theshowing of Fig. 15, the blank portion 78 being disposed within the,notch'and being confined therein by a lug 81. v

A combination of the ideasset forth in Figs.

' 15 and 1'7 is suggested in.Fig. 18 wherein the cross wall is providedwith a lug 82 projecting into the notch 44 for insertion through theslot 77 in the blank. In addition, a lug 83 extends upwardly past thelug 82 and slightly inwardly so as to require a flexing of the blanksection h before the latter can be interlocked with the cross wall.

The manner in which the carton covers are secured in place may followthe showing of Fig. 6, or, with slight modification, be constructed asper Fig. 19. In this latter example, the slot 50 in its lower portionisprovided withan undercut notch 85 wherein may be received the turnededges 86 of the two cover flaps g. These turned edges tend to springoutwardly and after.

being forced into position within the notch will resist opening movementof the covers. 'I is is a simple form of self-locking cover constructionwhich may be found advantageous for certain purposes. 1

The features of my invention, as set out in the precedingdescription,tend to a more certain and secure assembly of the carton components.Without the provision of locking means by which to prevent accidentaldisplacement of the cross walls from the blank, the use 'of the presentthe cross walls at these carton will be attended with certaindisadvanta'ges. This tendency of the blank to separate from the crosswalls is particularly noticeable before'the covers are closed down.During the operation of filling the carton, the upper portions of theblank will be. extended outwardly somewhat, as illustrated in Fig. 1, inwhich position it is important that the blank should remain engaged withthe side edges of the cross wall. By the notch constructions which Ihave shown and de'scribedany separation of the blank from I 'pointsis'effectively prevented. -I claim: I

'1. An egg holder in which is comprised a blank having plural sets ofaligned slots, the blank being folded upon itself along a'line betweentwo sets of slots, and a plurality of cross walls each having a slotproceeding inwardly fromone edgeadapted for insertion through the'slotsof the blank,,each cross wall being provided with means partiallyobstructing the entrance to its own slot adapted to overlie an edge ofthe blank whereby to retain the cross walls in'interlocked relationtherewith.

'2. An egg holder in which is comprised a blank having two sets ofal'gned slots, the blank beingfolded upon itself between the two sets ofslots and having notches in itsfolded'edge in line with v the slots, anda plurality of cross walls each provided with a slot extending inwardlyfrom one edgeadapted for insertion within the slots of the blank,- eachcross wall having means partially obstructing the entrance to 'itsownslot adapted to lie withinthe notch adjacent the'folded edge of theblank when the cross walls are moved to final position relative to theblank.

3. A holder in which is comprised a blank folded upon itself to providedouble walls and provided ffurther with two sets of slots on oppositesides of the fold-and a cross wall adapted for insertion within theslots of the blank, each cross wall being provided with a slot extendinginwardly from an edge which is disposed adjacent the folded edge of theblank, the entrance to the slot in the cross wall being flared in onedirection and having an obstruction extending partly thereacross fromthe opposite side whereby the double walls of the blank when receivedwithin the slot I tending inwardly from one edge thereof and pro- .videdwith means partially obstructing the entrance to said slot, each crosswall, when moved to a. final position in the blank, being adapted topresent its obstructions through thecut in the double walls of the blankwhereby to interlock the cross walls therewith.

5. In an egg holder, the combination of a blank which is folded uponitself 'and provided on opposite sides of the fold with plural sets ofaligned slots and a plural ty of slotted cross walls adapted forinsertion within the slots of the blank for interlocking therewith,there being formed in opposite edges of the cross walls notches eachhaving means projecting thereinto, and the blank being foldable forengagement within said notches, the

projecting means co-acting with the blank to lock the same in saidnotches.

6, In a holder, the combination of a folded blank having aligned sets ofslots, and a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted for insertionwithin said slots for interlocking with the blank, there being notchesformed in opposite edges of the cross walls together with projectingmeans partially obstructing the entrance to said notches, the blankbeing further provided with openings into which the said projectingmeans may enter, the blank being adapted for cooperation with saidnotches whereby to be interlocked therewithin.

7.'A holder in which is comprised a foldable blank having slots therein,a slotted cross wall insertable within the slots of the blank forinterlocking therewith, one side of the blank being foldable around oneend of the cross wall and across the top edge thereof adjacent thereto,and the other side of the blank being foldable around the opposite endof the cross wall across the top thereof remote therefrom and down uponthe cross wall end first named, the two portions of the blank soextended across the top of the cross wall being spaced from each other,and means for securing the two edges of the blank in fixed relation whenso folded.

.8. A holder in which is comprised a plurality of slotted cross walls,and a blank interlocking with said cross walls, the blank having oneside foldable over the cross walls adjacent thereto, and having itsother side also foldable over the cross walls but in spaced relationthereto, and means for securing in fixed relation the two blank sides soextended over the cross walls.

9. In a holder, a blank folded upon itself to provide double wallshaving registering slots, there being a notch inthe fold in line withthe slots, and a cross wall insertable through the slots of the blank,the cross wall being provided with a slot extending inwardly from oneedge thereof for receiving the double walls of the blank, the edges ofthe cross wall slot being closely parallel throughout their innerportion whereby to support the blank laterally on opposite sides, and inthe outer slot portion one of said edges being inclined away. from theother whereon is formed a lug projecting into the widened slot entranceaffording a partial obstruction at such point, the blank being movableinto the slot past such obstruction only by a bending of its doublewalls which in final position are supported by the parallel edges of theslot, the lug being then disposed within the notch adjacent the blankfold whereby to interlock the blank and cross wall.

10. A holder comprising a slotted folded blank and a plurality of crosswalls insertable through the slots in said blank; said cross wallshaving means engaging the end of a slot in said blank whereby to supportsaid blank thereon, one of said members being additionally slotted andthe other of said members having means extending transversely throughsaid second slots and cooperating with said first mentioned means foreffecting an interlocking of the cross walls and blank for preventingdisassembly of the same.

11. A holder comprising a blank folded in the general form of the letterW with oppositely inclined slotted walls, a plurality of cross wallsinsertable through the slots in said inclined walls and having meansengaging the end of a slot in said blank whereby to support said blankthereon, one of said members being additionally slotted and the other ofsaid members having means extending transversely through said secondslots and cooperating with said first mentioned means for effecting aninterlocking of the cross walls and blank for preventing disassembly ofthe same.

12. A holder in which is comprised a blank bent in the general form of aletter W with oppositely inclined slotted bottom sections meeting at anelevated point centrally of the carton, aplurality of cross walls havingtheir lower portions inserted through the'slotted' bottom sectionsof theblank and provided with edge notches for engaging therewith to supportthe bottom sections, one of said members being additionally slotted andthe other of said members having means extending transversely throughsaid second slots and cooperating with said first mentioned means foreffecting an interlocking of the cross walls and blank for, preventingdisassembly of the same.

13. An egg holder comprising a longitudinally creased and bent blankprovided with a longitudinal series of transverse slots alignedtransversely in groups of at least three slots, and a plurality of crosswalls,'each cross wall cooperating with a group of slots by means of twoupwardly facing notches formed on the edge thereof for supporting theblank thereon by engagement with two of said slots, said'cross" wallsbeing formed to provide edge means extending transversely through thethird slot of each groupand cooperating with said other engaged slotsand notches to secure said wrapper and each respective cross wallagainst relative movement.

14. In a collapsible egg holder, foldable trough members arranged sideby side and having op positely inclined slotted bottom sections meetingin a ridge centrally of the holder, 2. plurality of cross walls eachhaving a plurality of slots adapted for insertion through the slots ofthe trough members-and each cross wall being further provided withlaterally extending means partially obstructing the entrance to each ofsaid slots adapted to interlock respectively with the ridge and outersidewalls of said trough members.

15. A collapsible egg holder in which is comprised a blank which isfolded longitudinally upon itself along a line to form a longitudinalpartition the walls of the folded portion being oppositely inclined toprovide with the blank spaced trough portions, and a plurality ofslotted cross walls adapted to embrace the blank adjacent the foldwithin the slots of the cross walls, each cross wall being formed withmeans pivotally connecting itself to the blank at spaced pointslongitudinally of the holder and holding said cross walls againstdownward movement,

16. A collapsible egg holder comprising a slotted blank, the blank beingfolded longitudinally upon itself along a line to form a centralpartition the walls of the folded portion being oppositely inclined toprovide with the blank sides and bottoms of laterally spaced troughportions, and a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted to embrace theblank adjacent the fold within the slots of the cross walls, each crosswall being further provided with means pivotally connect- 19,143 Y a afolded portion being oppositely inclined to proted portions of theblank, each cross wall, being vide with the blank sides and bottoms oftrough further provided with means pivotallyconnectportions which arespaced centrally of the holder, ing itself to the blank at spaced pointslongiand a plurality of slotted cross walls adapted to tudinally of theholder and remote from the slots 5 embrace the blank adjacent the foldwithin the therein and holding said cross walls against slots of thecross walls, and having means for downward movement. interlockingengagement withv the inclined slot- LEON BENOIT.

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